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• Mudlet — a graphical client for Windows, Mac and Linux with mapping and scripting built in. Our overall recommendation, especially if this is your first MUD.
• TinTin++ — a lightweight, scriptable client that runs straight in a terminal. A solid pick if you already live on the command line.
• Blowtorch — a dedicated MUD client for Android, handy for playing from a phone.
• Plain telnet — every operating system ships a telnet program capable of reaching the address above, no install required if you just want to peek in.

A new character opens their eyes at the entrance to Newbieland, right beneath the Newbie Tower, where an NPC named Shala greets arrivals. Nearby you'll find Jocelyn, who runs a short tutorial through her brownie helpers and hands out a starter kit of free, weightless gear as you go — enough to get swinging without spending a coin. If you'd rather skip straight to fighting, look up Veteran Drake, who'll fit you out right there in the tower, or check the donation bin players leave close to Newbie's End, which sometimes turns up better gear.

Once equipped, head into the forest surrounding the Newbie Tower to start fighting the local wildlife — consider a target first if you want a sense of how tough it is before committing. Experience earned this way, plus whatever quests you stumble into around Newbieland, gets spent inside the Advancement Room: raise your stats and levels there with the advance command once you've checked what's affordable with rcost. Reaching level 10 requires finishing the Newbie Academy, so it's worth exploring every corner of Newbieland while you're still eligible for its quests — several close off for good once you pass level 5.

Once you're comfortable finding your way around, follow the exits out toward Center of Town — most other landmarks in the wider city of Foundation get their directions from that one spot, so it's worth learning early.

Every character begins life as a plain Adventurer. At level 5 the door opens to any of 3Scapes's 22 guilds — think of a guild as an entirely different profession or way of being, granting powers and a play style nothing else on the mud offers. There's no wrong pick: ask around, read up on a guild before committing, and don't feel pressured to accept the first offer that comes your way. Browse what's on offer on the guilds page.

Curious what a second character looks like? Once any character you control passes level 30, 3Scapes lets you register a second one through the spawnsecond command — so there's no rush to get everything right on your first try.

The newb chatline exists precisely for newcomers, staffed by the Newbie Helper program — experienced players who volunteer to answer questions and point you toward the right help file. Typing newb -w asks whoever's around to check in with you.

Prefer chatting outside the game? Our Discord is open to newcomers and regulars alike.